Gambling in Europe: doctors call for a strict ban on advertising

A new report published in March 2026 by the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) raises serious concerns about the health impact of gambling across Europe. The organization is calling for strong measures—including a potential total ban on gambling advertising and tighter regulation at the European level. 

The CPME report clearly positions gambling as a major public health issue in Europe. According to European doctors, gambling-related harm goes far beyond addiction alone.

Consequences include:

Importantly, the report stresses that these harms are not limited to pathological gamblers. A much broader segment of the population experiences negative effects, often moderate but persistent.

This perspective aligns with the recognition of gambling disorder by the World Health Organization as a clinical condition, reinforcing the need for a health-focused rather than purely economic approach.

Despite growing awareness of these risks, the gambling industry continues to expand—particularly online.

The CPME highlights several aggravating factors:

This trend contrasts with Belgium, where the market showed a slight decline in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in 2024 (-4.86%), according to the Belgian Gaming Commission.

At the same time, Belgium continues to face challenges related to channeling players toward legal operators, especially with the rise of illegal platforms.

One of the most striking recommendations from the CPME is a radical shift in advertising policy.

The report proposes to:

The goal is to reduce exposure—particularly among young people, who are considered a high-risk group.

This debate is already highly relevant in Belgium, following the Royal Decree of 27 February 2023 on gambling advertising, which significantly restricted gambling ads nationwide.

Beyond advertising restrictions, the CPME outlines several practical recommendations:

Some of these measures echo existing policies in Belgium, such as:

The CPME also emphasizes a critical challenge: illegal gambling.

Online accessibility allows players to bypass national regulations with ease. This is particularly concerning in Belgium, where a significant share of players still uses unlicensed websites.

The report calls for:

Currently, gambling regulation remains largely a national competence. However, the CPME advocates for a more coordinated European approach.

Several EU frameworks could play an increasing role:

The challenge is to adapt regulation to a borderless digital market, where national measures are often insufficient.

This report marks a significant shift in how gambling is perceived in Europe. By framing it as a public health issue, European doctors are increasing pressure on policymakers.

For Belgium—already pursuing a restrictive approach—these recommendations may reinforce current policies, while also reigniting debate about their effectiveness against illegal competition.

Ultimately, the central challenge remains unchanged:

How can governments effectively protect players without weakening the legal market?

The answer to this question will shape the future of gambling regulation across Europe in the years ahead.